What happened?
The Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1st, and lasted until July 3rd, 1863. This took place in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Union General, George G. Meade was in charge of 94,000 soldiers. Out of the 94,000 soldiers, 3,155 died, 14,531 were wounded, and about 5,369 were missing at the time. The Confederate General, Robert E. Lee, was in charge of 70,000 soldiers, slightly less than the total union soldiers. Out of the 70,000 soldiers, 4,708 died, 12,693 were wounded, and about 5,830 were missing.
Outcome
Robert E. Lee attempted but failed to invade the North for a second time. The failure of Pickett's charge meant that the south had lost the Battle. When the loss for south was demoralizing, Robert never attempted to invade the North again. This Battle was important to the history of the U.S. because this battle was a decisive victory for the Union that stopped the Confederate invasion of North and forced Lee's army to withdraw to Virginia. Although the Battle didn't involve the largest number of troops, it had the largest amount of casualties of any battle of the Civil War. This Battle is also important because it was considered a turning point of war for North because south never recovered from defeat.
Fun Facts You Probably Didn't Know
The Confederate wagon train of wounded, which was sent back to Virginia after the battle, was 17 miles long. After the Battle of Gettysburg, 37,574 rifles, which were left lying on the battlefield,were collected by the Union. With those rifles, more than 3,000 horses were killed at Gettysburg. Lydia Lyster, who owned the small farmhouse used by George Meade as his headquarter, found 17 dead horses in her yard as well. The only way to pay for the damage of her property was to sell their bones at a half a cent per pound.
Fun Facts You Probably Didn't Know
The Confederate wagon train of wounded, which was sent back to Virginia after the battle, was 17 miles long. After the Battle of Gettysburg, 37,574 rifles, which were left lying on the battlefield,were collected by the Union. With those rifles, more than 3,000 horses were killed at Gettysburg. Lydia Lyster, who owned the small farmhouse used by George Meade as his headquarter, found 17 dead horses in her yard as well. The only way to pay for the damage of her property was to sell their bones at a half a cent per pound.
Citations
. "The Battle of Gettysburg." . Civil War Trust, 2 8 2011. Web. 25 Jan 2013.
<http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg.html>.
."Battle of Gettysburg Facts." . Facts for Kids, 27 11 2012. Web. 19 Jan 2013.
<http://factsforkids.net/battle-of-gettysburg-facts/>. "Battle of Gettysburg." . Totally History, 17 6 2011. Web. 19 Jan 2013.
. "Battle of Gettysburg." . Totally History, 17 6 2011. Web. 19 Jan 2013.
<http://totallyhistory.com/battle-of-gettysburg/>.
. "The Battle of Gettysburg." . US History, 19 10 2012. Web. 19 Jan 2013.
<http://www.us-history.com/the-battle-of-gettysburg/>.
. Koski, Dustin. "Top 10 Interesting Facts about Gettysburg." . TopTenz, 21 6 2012. Web. 20 Jan 2013.
<http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-interesting-facts-about-gettysburg.php>.
.
<http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg.html>.
."Battle of Gettysburg Facts." . Facts for Kids, 27 11 2012. Web. 19 Jan 2013.
<http://factsforkids.net/battle-of-gettysburg-facts/>. "Battle of Gettysburg." . Totally History, 17 6 2011. Web. 19 Jan 2013.
. "Battle of Gettysburg." . Totally History, 17 6 2011. Web. 19 Jan 2013.
<http://totallyhistory.com/battle-of-gettysburg/>.
. "The Battle of Gettysburg." . US History, 19 10 2012. Web. 19 Jan 2013.
<http://www.us-history.com/the-battle-of-gettysburg/>.
. Koski, Dustin. "Top 10 Interesting Facts about Gettysburg." . TopTenz, 21 6 2012. Web. 20 Jan 2013.
<http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-interesting-facts-about-gettysburg.php>.
.
